The Open Door Church Update Letter #2
Dear Church,
I want to give an update on a few things that we said in the letter that went out last Thursday and a few new things happening this week. We’re excited to have ways for you all to virtually connect this week!
No In Person Gatherings:
Last week we officially canceled worship for only one week. I’m really thankful to BJ, Lee Scott and our session for taking the lead when very few other churches had made decisions for us to follow. In hindsight, we definitely did the right thing. Worship gatherings will not be able to happen for a number of weeks and so we are planning some new ways for you all to connect with each other and connect with God during this difficult time. We are holding out hope that we’ll gather together on Easter Sunday in our normal fashion. Below are the ways we will continue to be church together by living in our five practices.
Connecting Virtually (Practices of Listening and Encouraging)
Each Sunday we will be trying out some different ways of connecting and learning together. This Sunday BJ, Lauren Burdette and I will host three separate Zoom calls. We hope to have around fifteen people on each video call where we’ll pray together and hear updates from anyone willing to share. Further details on how to join the calls will come to you in the next day or so.
Sermon Offerings (Practice of Learning)
In addition, each week we will provide some sort of sermon offering. These will be recorded ahead of time and posted to the Open Door’s website https://pghopendoor.org/sermon-podcast. They may act as discussion starters in weeks to come for Sunday Zoom gatherings or they can be listened to at any time during the week. Look for an email from us with instructions and times for the three Zoom calls on Sunday morning and a sermon offering!
Garfield Community Farm (Practice of Eating and Giving)
Last week I suggested small gatherings at the farm would continue. We have changed this policy until further notice. You and your families are still welcome to come up to the farm, walk the labyrinth and enjoy the outdoors, but no gatherings should happen at this time. Personal distancing should be practiced at the farm when you see our staff or friends. This is hard!
As you may imagine, there are great needs arising for many people in our neighborhoods. In response to this need the farm is shifting nearly all of our efforts toward growing spring crops for donation. We, of course, have no restaurant sales at this time. While this will equate a loss of finances in the short term we believe God will sustain us in the long term. Please consider supporting the farm financially if you have the means through The Open Door’s website: You can also support the farm by joining our CSA this summer!
Caring for One Another (Practice of Listening and Encouraging)
Jesus never shied away from physical touch. Throughout the gospels Jesus touched those who were sick, dying, even those who were dead. Jesus’ touch healed. We know that physical touch from those we love continues to bring healing, both emotionally and physically, to us today. That’s why social distancing is so hard, and yet it is so necessary to slow the spread of this virus. Jesus still has the power to touch during this time. Lets all agree to reach out to those we think may need a phone call, a text, or a video call over the next few weeks. Check on your neighbors and the elderly around you. And please feel free to reach out to our deacons and pastors for any reason. We would love to talk and we’re here for you! If you need contact info for our deacons and pastors visit our website and the ABOUT tab.
In Christ’s Peace,
John and BJ
I want to give an update on a few things that we said in the letter that went out last Thursday and a few new things happening this week. We’re excited to have ways for you all to virtually connect this week!
No In Person Gatherings:
Last week we officially canceled worship for only one week. I’m really thankful to BJ, Lee Scott and our session for taking the lead when very few other churches had made decisions for us to follow. In hindsight, we definitely did the right thing. Worship gatherings will not be able to happen for a number of weeks and so we are planning some new ways for you all to connect with each other and connect with God during this difficult time. We are holding out hope that we’ll gather together on Easter Sunday in our normal fashion. Below are the ways we will continue to be church together by living in our five practices.
Connecting Virtually (Practices of Listening and Encouraging)
Each Sunday we will be trying out some different ways of connecting and learning together. This Sunday BJ, Lauren Burdette and I will host three separate Zoom calls. We hope to have around fifteen people on each video call where we’ll pray together and hear updates from anyone willing to share. Further details on how to join the calls will come to you in the next day or so.
Sermon Offerings (Practice of Learning)
In addition, each week we will provide some sort of sermon offering. These will be recorded ahead of time and posted to the Open Door’s website https://pghopendoor.org/sermon-podcast. They may act as discussion starters in weeks to come for Sunday Zoom gatherings or they can be listened to at any time during the week. Look for an email from us with instructions and times for the three Zoom calls on Sunday morning and a sermon offering!
Garfield Community Farm (Practice of Eating and Giving)
Last week I suggested small gatherings at the farm would continue. We have changed this policy until further notice. You and your families are still welcome to come up to the farm, walk the labyrinth and enjoy the outdoors, but no gatherings should happen at this time. Personal distancing should be practiced at the farm when you see our staff or friends. This is hard!
As you may imagine, there are great needs arising for many people in our neighborhoods. In response to this need the farm is shifting nearly all of our efforts toward growing spring crops for donation. We, of course, have no restaurant sales at this time. While this will equate a loss of finances in the short term we believe God will sustain us in the long term. Please consider supporting the farm financially if you have the means through The Open Door’s website: You can also support the farm by joining our CSA this summer!
Caring for One Another (Practice of Listening and Encouraging)
Jesus never shied away from physical touch. Throughout the gospels Jesus touched those who were sick, dying, even those who were dead. Jesus’ touch healed. We know that physical touch from those we love continues to bring healing, both emotionally and physically, to us today. That’s why social distancing is so hard, and yet it is so necessary to slow the spread of this virus. Jesus still has the power to touch during this time. Lets all agree to reach out to those we think may need a phone call, a text, or a video call over the next few weeks. Check on your neighbors and the elderly around you. And please feel free to reach out to our deacons and pastors for any reason. We would love to talk and we’re here for you! If you need contact info for our deacons and pastors visit our website and the ABOUT tab.
In Christ’s Peace,
John and BJ
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